Scam warning on prepaid cards

STOCKTON - The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a scam involving people selling prepaid Green Dot MoneyPak cards.

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By The Record

recordnet.com

By The Record

Posted Dec. 8, 2013 at 1:00 AM
Updated Dec 8, 2013 at 8:23 AM

By The Record

Posted Dec. 8, 2013 at 1:00 AM
Updated Dec 8, 2013 at 8:23 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office is warning the public about a scam involving people selling prepaid Green Dot MoneyPak cards.

Sheriff's deputies have received multiple calls from people who were victimized by being sold the cards and who were also required to provide the seller with their 14-digit card number. With the number, the thieves can drain the card, according to the Sheriff's Office.

The scam can work in other ways as well, including via phone calls implying that customers have a warrant for their arrest and that bail must be paid immediately. Some scammers tell their victims they have won a sweepstakes and money must be added to the card in order to claim a prize.

Deputies are asking the public to be suspicious of anybody demanding an immediate payment for any reason, to understand that anybody with the 14-digit number of a MoneyPak card has access to the account, to never give out personal information to unsolicited callers or emailers, and never wire money or provide card numbers to unknown parties.

Also, utility companies or government agencies do not contact the public demanding immediate payment via MoneyPak cards.

For more information on consumer fraud protection, visit oag.ca.gov/consumer.